Barbara Atwater

Barbara J. Atwater, 91, died Tuesday March 28^th 2023, at Granite Rehabilitation and Wellness.

          She was born Barbara Joanne Kemp, at Burman Hospital in Champaign, Illinois, on August 21^st 1931. She was the daughter of Rev. Marvin H. and Esther (Dawson) Kemp. She married the love of her life Hubert E. Atwater on November 19^th 1950, at the First Lutheran Church of Galesburg, Illinois. Hubert proceeded her death February 17^th 2022.

          As a young woman Barbara was active in a variety of activities including; 4-H leadership, Galesburg Community Chorus, church choir, and she was a vocal soloist at a wide variety of community events. She was active in many church activities including, teaching Sunday school, acting as a camp counselor, Chairwoman of the Christian Woman’s Club, community Bible study teaching director, and Baptist youth group leader. She believed in the power of prayer, and worked with the church prayer chain. At the time of her death, she was a member of Happy Jack Country Church of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

                She is survived by her daughter, Annette Payne, grandchildren Marty Sprinkle, Rachael Sprinkle, Jeremy Payne, Melanie Martin, Bryce Payne, Amber Pruitt, Nathan Payne, Jonathan Payne, Caleb Payne, and Christopher Payne, 24 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Hubert E. Atwater and daughter Sharon Sprinkle.